The Indiana Fever have now won more games than they’ve lost without Caitlin Clark. The same team people thought couldn’t function without their superstar is out here stringing wins like it’s nothing. But, funny enough, that wasn’t the headline grabbing everyone’s attention after their latest win. What really got the internet buzzing? Paige Bueckers. Specifically, Paige Bueckers and Sophie Cunningham moments. We know there’s no one more polarizing in the game right now than these rising stars. So while some of Bueckers’ moves lit up the internet, one particular moment had fans seriously divided.
Indiana’s 88-78 dub over the Dallas Wings marked their fourth straight win. But even Bueckers didn’t back down till the end. Here’s what went down in fourth quarter. With tensions high, Dallas was trying to claw their way back. Bueckers went 1v1 against Sophie and straight cooked her. Cunningham looked helpless on an island for a moment.
It was one of those clips that immediately starts making the rounds on social media. But while that move had fans buzzing, another had people furious. There must be a no-call on Cunningham that Bueckers didn’t agree with.
And instead of letting it go, she walked right up to the referee, imitating what the vet did. She even appeared to brush against the ref in the process. And fans weren’t having it. “Why wasn’t Paige immediately ejected?” one fan demanded on X.
Why wasn’t Paige immediately ejected? pic.twitter.com/ZygCJOOvLo
— FORTYFOUR_12oo (@HUSKER_D00_1200) August 2, 2025
Now, if you’ve followed Bueckers, you know she’s got a bit of a sarcastic streak when it comes to refs. There was that one time she jokingly offered her glasses. Another when she dramatically mimed being pushed. Usually, it’s brushed off as part of her competitive edge. But this time, that line between playful and petty might’ve been crossed.
Paige Bueckers sparks debate as dans call out WNBA double standards
Some simply said, “Definitely should’ve been ejected. There has to be a standard.” League officiating has been under scrutiny for a long time, and this was just one more example on that growing list that fans keep questioning. Another user chimed in, “Never in my life have I seen a player be able to contact an official and not get the hammer thrown down on ’em… just crazy.”
And to back that up, let’s talk about Brittney Griner. Just a few weeks ago, Griner was hit with back-to-back technicals and ejected from the Dream vs. Wings matchup. What triggered it? Minimal contact while arguing a call. She wasn’t mocking, just pleading her case. Still, she was tossed out without hesitation.
Then someone brought up a preseason incident with Clark. Technically, preseason doesn’t count toward official tallies but Clark’s did receive a tech during preseason finale. “I know some people who technical for hitting simply hit the stanchion in frustration,” they wrote. What happened was CC threw the ball against the stanchion out of frustration after a steal, and the referee hit her with a tech instantly. No contact, no gesture at the ref. Just raw emotion and it still drew a whistle. So the reaction is understandable.
Another commenter pointed out, “Next time CC plays, she gets to do EXACTLY THE SAME THING… and better not get a foul, tech, or thrown out.” But that’s not how it works. According to the WNBA rulebook, any physical contact with an official – no matter how slight – is automatically a technical foul. That includes disrespectful gestures, profanity, or even following the official too closely in dissent.
So then… why wasn’t Bueckers called for it?
Some fans believe it comes down to legacy. “Because she went to UConn,” said one user. UConn’s lineage in the WNBA is undeniable. From Sue Bird to Diana Taurasi, that school has produced stars and with that, the perception of privilege. Meanwhile, players like Clark, who came from schools outside the “pipeline,” are assumed to be held to stricter standards, even when they’ve proven themselves just as marketable and impactful.
While it’s still unclear why Paige Bueckers wasn’t assessed a technical for making contact, one thing is for sure: this Paige vs. Clark discourse isn’t going anywhere no matter the topic of the debate.
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